We enable people without access to traditional banks (including many women) to expand their businesses, educate their children, save for the future and raise themselves out of poverty. Through Kiva, a non-profit organisation working with microfinance institutions, you choose a borrower to support with a loan of just $25. Similar loans by other lenders are combined until the required total is reached. As your money is repaid you can withdraw it or lend it to someone else. Money that is loaned over and over again does more good than a one-time donation.Join 'Genealogists for Families' - together we are making a difference!

06 February 2012

We Have a Winner - or do we?

On January 4th, when our lending team had 132 members, I chose a number (x) between 133 and 145, and promised to give a $25 Kiva card to the xth person who joined our team (subject to certain conditions). Finding a winner turned out to be much more complicated and time consuming than I expected.

When I opened the envelope, the winning number was 136. I checked my list and found that the 136th person to join was 'Anonymous', and thus ineligible because he/she is impossible to identify or contact.

I wrote the remaining numbers on slips of paper, put them in a jar, shook it vigorously, and drew... no. 144. The 144th team member was Donna. I checked her lender page and found that she had not yet made a loan and was therefore not eligible for this prize.

Another dive into the jar produced no. 137 - Lynn from California. Unfortunately she had not made a loan either.

Back to the jar! This time I drew no. 143 - Lynne (with an e) - but again, no loan and thus not eligible. (Sigh)

By now I was getting exasperated. Another slip of paper - no. 141. To my consternation, this "team member" is actually the lender account 'GFF Aussie Social Events'.

What do you think? Can I pay the $25 Kiva card into that account and make a loan from there, or should I feel obliged to draw yet another number from the jar? In a couple of days I will make a decision based on your comments here.

16 comments:

As someone who has run many contests at GeneaBloggers with complex rules etc., I always create a list of "qualified" entrants before I draw. Also, try to use random.org to select your number: enter the range of numbers and click generate. I also take a screen capture of my computer screen with the winning number and the date/time in the lower corner so if anyone questions the "randomness" I can show them.

I see no reason why GFF Social Events cannot be the winner. One loan has been made under that name. The criteria were made clear at the start and I think you have spent enough time on it. More importantly let's not lose sight of the end aim which is to help others.

I would not have that it could be that complex but then Murphy always lurks in the background I've found. GFF Social Events was the winner - a real person operates that and can make a new loan which was the objective. Sounds like you have completed your mission!! Well done again Judy.

Thanks, folks. I appreciate the fact that so many of you responded. I have bought the Kiva card and sent it to GFF Aussie Social Events. When I have some free time later this week, I will log in to that Kiva account and choose a borrower. It will be a woman, because 'Meet the Team' profiles suggest that most of us would prefer that. I will also choose a Field Partner with very low delinquency and default rates, and at least a four star risk rating.

I used the Kiva Card to make a loan to Ronaida in the Philippines so she can purchase more stock to sell in her general store. She is married with seven children, six of whom go to school. Ronaida wants to save enough money to send her children to college.